Abstract:

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Nd, Y and Ca containing Mg-Zn-Zr alloys are produced by electromagnetic direct-chilling casting process, and extruded at a temperature of 643K with two extrusion ratios of 38:1 and 22:1, respectively. The grain size is markedly reduced from 80µm in as-cast alloy to 2~5µm in as-extruded alloy due to dynamic recrystallization, and lamellar eutectics at grain boundaries in as-cast alloy are broken up and fine precipitates in the matrix come forth during hot extrusions. Mechanical properties
of the alloys are measured by tensile test from room temperature to 523K. Nd, Y and Ca are favorable to the strength of the hot-extruded alloy, especially the elevated-temperature strength, which is above 200MPa in ultimate tensile strength at 523K.

Abstract: A high Zn content Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was prepared by spray forming process and the precipitate behavior and microstructure of the extruded alloy were also investigated. The precipitate sequence of the spray-formed alloy could be described as “α-solid solution → GPI zone → GPII zone (also called Metastable ′ )→ Stable  (MgZn2)” during artificial ageing treatment. In the early stage of artificial ageing treatment, the GPI zone was the main strengthening phase and kept coherent relationship with the matrix. With the increasing of ageing time, ′ phase dominate strengthening phase and kept semi-coherent relationship with the matrix. With the further increasing of ageing time,  phase took the place of ′ phase, and dominated the strengthening phase in the alloy. The grain size of the spray deposit is finer than that of cast alloys. The ultimate tensile strength of the alloy is over 810MPa in peak ageing condition.

Abstract: The effect of Cd and Sb addition on the microstructural and mechanical properties of as-cast AZ31 alloys was investigated and compared. The results indicate that the difference of Sb and Cd in the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast AZ31 magnesium alloy is significant. Addition of 0.15%Sb (mass fraction) to AZ31 alloy can refine the matrix and β-Mg17Al12 phase but not form a new phase Mg3Sb2. Oppositely, by addition of 0.3-0.7% Cd to AZ31 alloy, Cd was dissolved into the AZ31 alloy, the phase composition did not change but was refined also. Accordingly, the Cd-refined AZ31 alloy exhibits higher tensile and impact toughness and Brinell hardness properties than the Sb- refined one. The difference of Sb and Cd in the mechanical properties is possibly related to the solid solution of Cd into the matrix and formation of Mg3Sb2 which has the same close-packed hexagonal structure as α-Mg.

Abstract: In this paper, pure titanium rods, with high strength and ductility, were prepared by vacuum sintering titanium powder compacts at 1300oC for 2h and then hot extruding the as-sintered titanium billets at 900oC in air. The microstructure and property changes, after vacuum sintering and hot extrusion, were investigated. The results showed clear evidence of porosity in the microstructure of as-sintered titanium billet and tensile testing of as-sintered material gave yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and ductility values of 570MPa, 602MPa and 4%, respectively. After extrusion at 900oC, no obvious pores could be seen in the microstructure of as-extruded titanium rod, and the mechanical properties were significantly improved. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and the ductility reached 650MPa, 705MPa and 20%, respectively, which are much higher than values for CP titanium (grade 4), with a yield strength of 480MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 550MPa and ductility of 15%. The fracture characteristics of as-sintered and as-extruded titanium rods have also been investigated.